Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) and House Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA) sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to highlight the negative unintended consequences of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s (BSEE) well control rule. Technical provisions in the rule will severely limit both existing and future safe energy development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

“Energy production in the Gulf of Mexico produces 16% of our nation’s oil and 5% of our natural gas – and is a key driver for economic opportunity not only in the Gulf States but throughout our nation.  From manufacturing, to refining, to the American families who are now seeing lower prices at the gas pump, all benefit from the increased energy production on our lands and waters,” the letter states.

The letter urges OIRA to work with BSEE to revise the rule through a supplementary rulemaking and extended public comment.   

“Allowing for OCS development and promoting a safe operating environment are not mutually exclusive and it is vitally important to continue improvements and updates to existing safety regulations. However, these rules must be done well and done right. It is our hope that your review of this rule will be thoroughly vetted and we request that you make the necessary revisions to address these substantial concerns and work with BSEE to publish a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to allow for public comment of not less than 180 days to ensure regulatory transparency and due deference to the ultimate goal of offshore safety,” the letter states.

Click here to read the full letter.